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Food service/cashier vs food runner/busser

The differences between food service/cashiers and food runner/bussers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food runner/busser has an average salary of $28,577, which is higher than the $28,481 average annual salary of a food service/cashier.

The top three skills for a food service/cashier include food service, POS and cleanliness. The most important skills for a food runner/busser are cleanliness, wine, and excellent guest.

Food service/cashier vs food runner/busser overview

Food Service/CashierFood Runner/Busser
Yearly salary$28,481$28,577
Hourly rate$13.69$13.74
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs247,779124,680
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a food service/cashier do?

Foodservice/cashiers are often employed at food restaurants and played various roles. Their duties include recording orders from customers and making sure their payments are collected. They are responsible for managing financial transactions and creating financial reports at the end of the day, making sure that order receipts correlate to the amount of money collected. They could also function as service members, welcoming customers and taking their orders politely, packaging them, and ensures that they are delivered promptly, taking in and resolving customer's queries and complaints. They can also be tasked to stock supplies and may help in cooking if the needs arise.

What does a food runner/busser do?

A food runner or busser is an employee who works at a restaurant to provide quality food services to customers and patrons. Food runners or bussers perform food preparation and ensure that foods are delivered promptly to the appropriate customers' tables. In case the bar server is busy, food runners or bussers may take the drink orders of customers at the bar counter. They also make sure that tables are bussed, cleaned, and set up for the next paying customers.

Food service/cashier vs food runner/busser salary

Food service/cashiers and food runner/bussers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Service/CashierFood Runner/Busser
Average salary$28,481$28,577
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $35,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityMontclair, NJSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew Hampshire
Best paying companyAspen School DistrictThe Culinary Institute of America
Best paying industryRetailHospitality

Differences between food service/cashier and food runner/busser education

There are a few differences between a food service/cashier and a food runner/busser in terms of educational background:

Food Service/CashierFood Runner/Busser
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food service/cashier vs food runner/busser demographics

Here are the differences between food service/cashiers' and food runner/bussers' demographics:

Food Service/CashierFood Runner/Busser
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 28.3% Female, 71.7%Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between food service/cashier and food runner/busser duties and responsibilities

Food service/cashier example responsibilities.

  • Cashier, serve food, manage calls, drawer counting, heavy lifting, heavy use of POS system and filing.
  • Greet guests, take food and drink orders, prepare and assemble food items, maintain the cash drawer and POS system
  • Time management while delivering patients orders and providing exceptional customer service in a fast pace environment.
  • Order and receive supplies for culinary needs of the fleet.
  • Maintain food safety and quality by applying HACCP principles throughout service.
  • Load and unload commercial dishwashers.
  • Show more

Food runner/busser example responsibilities.

  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Educate and experience in fine dining experience, professional etiquette and wine knowledge
  • Operate a POS system, highly experience with cash handling methods.
  • Give assistance to clients at POS to ensure a pleasant shopping experience.
  • Note allergies and special accommodations on receipts to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
  • Collaborate closely alongside coworkers to ensure customer satisfaction and overall cleanliness of the establishment.
  • Show more

Food service/cashier vs food runner/busser skills

Common food service/cashier skills
  • Food Service, 17%
  • POS, 13%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 7%
Common food runner/busser skills
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Wine, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 8%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Water Glasses, 6%
  • Food Delivery, 5%

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